Improved mosquito-canopy



PATENT OEEICE.

MEER-ITT IJ. THOMPSON, OF BROOKLYN, YORK.

IMPROVED MOSQUITO-CANOPY.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 41,730, dated February 23, 1864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MERRITT L. THOMP- SON, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York', have invented, made, and applied to use a certain new and Improved Mosquito-Canopy; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan of said canopy as extended and ready for use. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same as folded together, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section.

Similars marks of reference denote the same parts.

Mosquito-frames only being required for'a portion of the year, are more convenient when they can be folded into a small compass for packing away.

My invention relates to a peculiar construction of folding frame supporting the netting or gauze and forming a canopy that can easily be extended for use, or folded into a a comparatively small space for transportation or storage; and it consists of an X-frame upon a pin or screw that also holds double cross-pieces, to the ends of which are con nected cords or strings, also secured to the ends of the X'pieces in such a manner that when the double cross-pieces are retained upon each other, the said cords form a support all around the frame for the net or gauze, and when said crosspieces are separated, the frame can be folded into a small compass without the separation of said cords or strings, thereby always retaining the canopy in a condition for use by the simple spreading of the frame.

In the drawings, d and b are crossbars forming,- when open, an X. o is the screw uniting these pieces together and on which they can turn. d and e are the bars, which when togetherform a double cross-piece. These are held together and to the bars va and b also by the screw or pin c. i i are projecting pins on d, taking, when d and c coincide, holes in c, whereby to retain the cross-'bars together, said bar c being lifted or sprung upward sufciently, as the bars are brought together, for the pins to pass under the bar c, and then on that being relieved the holes receive such pins. f is a cord or line attached at one end of c, passing around and united to the ends of a and b, and terminating at the opposite end of d, and g is a similar cord or line passing around at the other end of the canopy-frame, its ends being attached to the other ends of the bars d and c. When the frame is extended, as in Fig. 1, these cords f and g are drawn tightly, and when the frame is folded, as in Fig. 2, the cords hang loosely but still remain attached to the respective ends of the bars.

A netting or gauze thrown over or attached to this folding frame completes the canopy, and said canopy may be supported by strings or cords l, to a ring or other fastening in the ceiling, or may rest upon the posts or head and foot boards of the bedstead.

I have shown the netting or gauze in red lines, and by having the same attached to the cords f and g, it will fold with the frame.` In this case the central portions of the horizontal part of the netting should be attached in the middle at the pin or screw c.

In order to make the curtains of the canopy lap at their intersections I provide the arms h h on the screws o, by which they are attached and on which they turn; and la is a cord upon which the lapping part of each gauze curtain is fitted, and the said cord passes through an eye at the end of the arm, and each cord is attached at the other end, respectively, to the bars d and c, so that the arms h h may-be turned into the position of Fig. 1 to extend the gauze curtain at the lapped part, or be turned back, as shown in Fig. 2, when the frame is folded.

-The frame while suspended Vmay be folded together and the curtains allowed to hang from each end, which will allow free access to the bed on either side thereof.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The folding canopy-frame, composed of the X-bars a. and b, and double cross-bars d and e, to which are attached the cords or lines fand g, as and for the purposes specified.

2. The arms h h and cords lo, in combination with said canopy-frame, for the purposes specilied.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 3d day of September, 1863.-

M. L. THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

LEMUEL W. SERRELL, THos. GEO. HAROLD. 

